Cornelius left a comment pointing to Navison Audio, who manufactures audio equipment that I can only assume sounds as good as it looks (which is pretty good indeed!)
They make amplifiers, preamplifiers, and a CD player. I'm not going to say much, other than 'vacuum tube circuit design', but let Navison's website speak for them.
Culminating from our journey into vacuum tube circuit design Navison engineers set out to design a digital source component that simply got things right. Digital technology has certainly changed the world in many positive ways but music lovers have always been concerned that those magical moments caught in the recording process may get lost in this brave new world of Ones & Zeros.
By combining leading edge digital technology with Navison’s unique approach to vacuum tube circuit design this player gets to the heart of those special moments when everything in the performance and
recording process goes right. The Reference 228 captures the whole of the music performance allowing the listener to hear more then just nuance and really get the true message the artist intended.
Of course we made sure the Reference 228 looks as good as it sounds. Using our signature Barian Kingwood, gold plating and textured black finish this player is the same visual tour de force Navison preamps and amplifiers have become known for.
Alas, the only legitimate reason to prefer tubes to solid-state components is their retro-tech appeal. Of course for a steampunk enthusiast that may be all the excuse you need -- but, seriously, don't assume that tube is better than transistor; that way lies wasted money.
ReplyDeleteAll of their partner sites are broken or incomplete, and I can't find any reference to prices anywhere I look, which probably means I can't afford them.
ReplyDeleteHi,
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Hyla